I grew up in a mixed upbringing, non-denominational and Pentecostal mostly, but also attended a very strict KJV-only Baptist private school from K to 6th grade.
... scales fell from my eyes. The dark fog hiding the cross from my view suddenly lifted, and there was Jesus Christ, crucified--and all my sin and weakness which He bore, and there the unconquerable love of God for sinners--all sinners, including me, who felt like the most miserable of sinners.
Lutheranism hadn't even been on my radar when looking for churches. I looked into Methodism, Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Anglicanism, among many others. But when I started to look at Lutheran theology, and reading the Bible from a Lutheran POV, things clicked. In a way it was like discovering something I already knew, but as though I had forgotten somehow. It was sweet, simple, living and powerful Gospel.
I found home, not so much because it was "Lutheran", but because I found among these people, the Lutherans, the purest confession and boldest proclamation of the Gospel as the Gospel; rather than treating the Gospel as though it were another law or set of commandments.
As the song says, the Gospel is Good News Indeed,
"
The gospel is good news indeed,
To sinners deep in debt;
The man who has no works to plead,
Will thankful be for it.
To know that when he's nought to pay,
His debts are all discharged,
Will make him blooming look as May,
And set his soul at large.
No news can be compared with this,
To men oppressed with sin;
Who know what legal bondage is,
And labor but in vain.
Freedom from sin and Satan's chains,
And legal toil as well,
The gospel sweetly now proclaims;
Which tidings suit them well.
How gladly does the prisoner hear,
What gospel has to tell!
'Tis perfect love that casts out fear,
And brings him from his cell.
The man that feels his guilt abound,
And knows himself unclean,
Will find the gospel's joyful sound,
Is welcome news to him."
-CryptoLutheran
My dear brother, so many things resonate in your sharing here. Thank you.
I come from a family of 2 brothers and 2 parents at home. I was baptized Lutheran, completed memorizing much of the Larger Catechism in Germany when I was 14. I was confirmed in Worms, Germany in 1970 (Kitty corner to where Martin was tried). After this I returned to the States for high school and in college left Lutheranism and joined what turned out to be a heterodoxic Pentecostal group spending 17 years there.
For me going through a painful divorce several years ago led me to some "deeper excavation"... really owning my sins, mistakes, and misteps.
This is was what led me back to a humble Lutheran pastor's doorstep for three extended sessions of private confession and absolution. I expected judgement, and toxic proof texting but found mercy. The load of self-loathing and shame that I carried around was lifted by my Jesus in that brother's office. What I had never understood as a youngster and had rejected as a young adult, turned out to be foundational to my healing sanctifying journey that continues to this day. Now I am thankful for my upbringing so much more.
Lutheranism has I think a unique perspective to offer the world of a Savior who forgives providing real peace for troubled hearts and lasting relief for the guilty troubled conscience.
Brother--your sharing here made my day. With Kindness, Larry
This old Silesian hymn sums it up:
Schönster Herr Jesu, Herrscher aller Enden, Gottes und Marien Sohn, Dich will ich lieben, Dich will ich ehren, Du meiner Seelen Freud und Kron. Schön sind die Felder, Schöner sind die Wälder In der schönen Frühlingszeit. Jesus ist schöner, Jesus ist reiner, Der unser traurig Herz erfreut. Schön leucht‘ der Monde, Schöner leucht‘ die Sonne, Schön die Sternlein allzumal. Jesus leucht‘ schöner, Jesus leucht‘ reiner, Als all die Engel im Himmelssaal. Schön sind die Blumen, Schöner sind die Menschen In der frischen Jugendzeit. Sie müssen sterben, Müssen verderben. Doch Jesus bleibt in Ewigkeit. Alle die schönheit Himmels und der Erden Ist gefasst in Dir allein. Niemand auf Erden Lieber soll werden Als Du, der liebste Jesus mein.
Translation: Fairest Lord Jesus, Ruler o’er creation, Of God and Mary, Thou the Son. Thee shall I ever love, Thee shall I e’er adore, O Thou, my soul’s true Joy and Crown. Fair are the meadows, Fairer still the woodlands, When springtime comes in beauty clad. Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, Who grieving hearts with joy makes glad. Fair shines the silver moon, Fairer still the golden sun, Beautiful is the star-filled sky. Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, Than all the angel hosts on high. Fair are the flowers of earth, Fairer still her children, In all the freshness and joy of youth. All these are passing, None can be lasting. But Jesus lives fore’er in truth. All beauty round us, In Earth and heaven, All is contained in Thee, is Thine. No one on earth shall be Dearer than Thou to me, O Thou, beloved Jesus mine.
